Throughout the month of October, The University of Alabama Counseling Center will host two suicide prevention workshops titled QPR: Suicide Prevention Workshop. These workshops promote Tide Against Suicide’s three steps of QPR, which stands for question, persuade and refer. The events are open to all students who register and have the goal of learning how to prevent suicide. 

Who: The University of Alabama Counseling Center. 

What: A 2-hour free suicide prevention training for those who register online. 

When: Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 11 a.m. and Thursday, Oct. 20 at 1 p.m. 

Where: UA Student Center room 3104. 

The National Institute of Mental Health reported that in 2020, “the prevalence of serious suicidal thought was highest among young adults ages 18-25.”  

Tide Against Suicide is an initiative at the University with a goal of eliminating suicide. 

“Around 2018 it was realized that we needed an initiative on our campus to work towards suicide awareness and suicide prevention. In 2019, Tide Against Suicide was launched with the goal of aspiring for zero suicides on our campus. In 2020, the Student Tide Against Suicide Group was established” said Michelle Moss, the suicide prevention coordinator at the Counseling Center. 

This group has transitioned from a student group to a Student Advisory Board.   

Suicide Awareness Week took place Sept. 19-23, with multiple events held by Tide Against Suicide, but they’re continuing the effort year-round. They continue to have workshops open to all throughout the rest of the year. 

“November through May, we will offer one training session per month. However, student organizations and groups can request trainings through the Counseling Center website,” Moss said. 

On Oct. 20, the Counseling Center will be holding a free suicide prevention training for those who register online. The training will take place at 1 p.m. in the Student Center. 

Tide Against Suicide has planned other trainings and events to help raise awareness that will be held during the spring semester. 

If you or anyone you know is struggling, please contact 205-348-3863 to speak with The University of Alabama’s Counseling Center immediately.